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Pempek(fishcake) is one of my favorite dishes. I love its chewy texture, savory taste and the spicy vinegar sauce. It is a snack for any occasion and comes in variations, ranging from kapalselam (submarine-shaped fishcake), lenjer (long cylindrical fishcake), kulit (skin fishcake), adaan (ball-shaped fishcake) to lenggang (omelette mixed with sliced fishcake).

A friend of mine recommended a place called Kedai Pempek Pak Jenggot at Pasar Minggu not far from the police station in the area. According to my friend, the place has been around for a while, and its pempek tastes delicious. Intrigued, I made my way there.

Located nearby Ramayana Pasar Minggu, various pempek ready to be cooked were displayed in the window of the shop. The front end houses its kitchen and cashier with the dining area situated in the back.

Unlike other pempek joints, here you have to order and pay before eating. Its menu resembles any other of its kind, with the likes of kapalselam, lenjer, adaan, kulit, tekwan (chopped fishcake soup) and lenggang available. It also offers eskacangmerah (shaved ice with red beans), a variety of juices and snacks including kerupukkemplang (fish crackers) and keripikpisang (banana chips).

I ordered a kapal selam and a lenjer, which came drenched in vinegar sauce and topped with cuts of cucumber.

My friend’s recommendation turned out to be a good one. The pempek was savory and delicious – its crispy exterior hiding a silky smooth center. The egg inside the kapal selam combined immaculately with the meat of the pempek. The only downside to my experience at Kedai Pempek Pak Jenggot is the rather weak and watery vinegar sauce. For those who prefer a spicier affair, you can add sambal (chili paste) to your dish. (asw)